Intervention for Termination

Source: Google

Name              : My Wish for You

Times              : 1 hour

Materials        : 1) A wood star cut-out for each group member

                          2) Decorative supplies (paint, markers, glitter)

Objectives       : 1) Increase positive self-statements

                          2) Encourage compassion and caring for others

                          3) Experience a positive termination from family therapy

Rationale        :

Instead of conducting a big summarization, a closing activity is required for any counselling session. This is particularly important for adolescents, as they may sense abandonment when having to terminate therapy. Besides that, participants are able to express their feelings on particular person throughout this activity, and at the same time, they are able to receive positive feedback and support from other family members throughout this activity.

Steps               :

1. The counsellor explains the process of intervention, and then provides a wood star cut-out and decorative supplies for each group members
2. The counsellor asks each member to write or paint the words My Wish for You on the front of the star. 
3. The counsellor asks each member to decorate the wooden star using the provided art supplies.
4. The counsellor asks members to turn the star over, and then write a wish or hope that they have for the person who sits to their left on the back of the star.                                
5. The counsellor asks members to pass their star to the person who sits on their left. Then, each member is required to read his or her star quietly.                                         
6. The counsellor asks each member to read out the wish he or she gets loudly to the other family members. During the sharing, the counsellor may ask several questions, such as “Will the star be a nice reminder for you?”, “What emotions were evoked from the wish?
7. The counsellor requests all the family members to place the star in a place where they will see it frequently after the session.

Discussion      :

This activity can be used with children, adolescents or adults and it serves as a positive reminder of the therapeutic experience. The star becomes a transitional object for the clients, as it is a positive reminder of their therapeutic experience. Additionally, the positive message (the wish) demonstrates the participant’s ability to care for others, but also provides a reminder that the participant is cared for, which gives her/him a sense of love and belonging and builds self-esteem.

Conclusion     :

In conclusion, this intervention can be used for family or group counselling, and it is important to enhance positive self-statements, develop compassion and caring among family members, provide a meaningful termination from family therapy. However, the counsellor should be aware of managing time and asking appropriate questions to reflect group members’ feelings and thought. 

This is an example that I read from the book, which the book emphasises on using creative art therapy in dealing with individual, group or even family counselling. For me, expressive art therapy is highly powerful tool to reveal oneself and deepen their understanding on themselves indirectly. In addition, it is mostly applicable for every generation as the elements of playfulness is something that everyone seeks for, no matters how old you are or how young you are. For me, the playing or drawing activities can trigger my childishness and I really enjoy it. For example, I really enjoy a session or lecture class with a lot of tools or element of creative art therapy. It is something refreshing yet exciting me like to be in the seventh heaven. 

Moreover, I strongly recommend this intervention because writing and putting the wish at somewhere we can see everyday is really helpful for me. As I have one wish with a group photo with my besties that really motivating me, especially when I am reaching the threshold level of particular things, which my level of tolerance is no longer maintained. However, their smiles and wishes that really encourage me to look forward and keep moving to strike for better achievement although a lot of challenges popping out unexpectedly. I believe that I still have a gang of friends who might be stayed far away from me but our hearts are linked and we are blessed each other everyday.     

References     :

Lowenstein, L. (2011). Favorite therapeutic activities for children, adolescents and families: Practitioners share their most effective interventions. Ontario: Champion Press.

From:

Tan Yao Xiong (Ah Bear)

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